A wreckage of the Kenya Pipeline Company bus after the train accident.
Families of the people who died in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) staff bus and train collision turned up at Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary to identify the bodies on Friday.
The death toll from the Thursday evening incident rose to nine when one more person succumbed to injuries while being treated in the morning. The other eight died on the spot.
Naivasha Police Commander Anthony Keter said the bus was taking the workers to Naivasha after their shift at Morendat Training and Conference Centre, which is run by KPC.
Hospital Medical Superintendent James Warui said two out of the 18 workers taken there died.
From the remaining patients, fourteen were transferred to Nairobi Women’s Hospital and one to AIC Kijabe Hospital.
Survivor's account
Janet Masai, 42, is still at Naivasha Sub-County Hospital. She regained consciousness yesterday morning.
Ms Masai, a storekeeper who was hired by KPC four years ago, said she was talking to a friend who had just reported to work from leave when the bus was hit by the train.
She added that she heard the train honk and then an unusual sound. The next thing she heard was a bang and silence.
“Some people were talking while others sat quietly. I don’t think anyone thought our bus would be hit by the train as we use the route frequently,” she said.
A wreckage of the Kenya Pipeline Company bus after the train accident.
She woke up yesterday to find herself in hospital with her limbs in plaster. Ms Masai said she did not recall how far the bus was from the railway line.
Ms Masai was planning to do laundry as soon as she got home on Thursday evening. He friend was treated and discharged on Thursday night. She is glad to have survived the accident together with her friend, who was treated and discharged on Thursday night.
Mr Joseph Musembi and his relatives were at the mortuary to identify the body of his cousin Daniel Mulei yesterday.
They learnt of Mulei’s death from KPC management on Thursday evening.
Mr Musembi’s cousin had been with KPC for barely a year after being contracted as a cleaner.
He told the Saturday Nation that Mulei had planned to visit his grandmother in Mwea on Saturday. The goal was to introduce her to his fiancée.
“The girl is devastated as she was to meet Mulei’s relatives to share their marriage plans,” Mr Musembi said.
The family is waiting for post-mortem to be conducted before transferring the body to Mwea.
A wreckage of the Kenya Pipeline Company bus after the train accident.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said 32 people were in the bus at the time of the accident.
He said four were KPC employees at Morendat Training and Conference Centre while five were staff from contracted cleaning service providers.
Mr Wandayi shared his message of condolence with the families of the victims, adding that the government investigations into the accident have begun.
“We are working with other government agencies to determine the cause of the accident and will update the public in due course. We ask the public to steer clear of the accident scene as the emergency crew, alongside Kenya Railways and KPC workers clear the area,” the minister added.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, accompanied by KPC Managing Director Joe Sang visited the hospital.
Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, addresses the media at the scene of the accident that involved a Kenya Pipeline Company staff bus and a cargo train in Naivasha.
The PS urged motorists to be vigilant while on the road and prevent the loss of lives.
“For Kenyans using roads, I urge you to be careful. Let’s always put safety first. Safety is not one person’s responsibility but everyone. Even as the number of vehicles and those getting driving licences increases, we must always put safety first,” said Mr Liban.
Mr Sang assured the victims’ families of the company’s support, saying KPC would settle the medical and funeral expenses.
“As a company, we are saddened by this tragedy, and promise to stand with the families. Investigations are still ongoing because we want to understand what exactly happened. The investigations will also help ensure similar tragedies do not occur,” Mr Sang added.
The MD said personnel of the Kenya Defence Forces officers alongside the British Army were among the first to arrive at the scene.
He said the soldiers helped in the rescue and recovery efforts, while the Kenya Red Cross offered counselling and psychosocial support to the KPC employees and families traumatised by the events of Thursday.
